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Would you blame Slav if he bolted for Turkey?

West Ham United v Manchester City - Premier League
Looking towards Istanbul?
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

Even after the 1-0 win over Tottemham Hotspur, Slaven Bilic’s job security still remains a mystery. However, new reports are emerging that Fenerbance is interested in bringing Slav on as their new manager (their current manager, Dick Advocaat, is in line to take over the Dutch national side). This would seem to force the hand of the Board in East London, giving them an ultimatum as to the Croat’s future at the club. But, the Board being the Board, the latest is that they will not act on Slav’s current contract (which runs out after next year) until the start of next season.

I am not saying that this is not a prudent business decision, because it seems to be. The dip in form the side have suffered this season can be attributed to a number of factors, and one can say that Bilic is one of those reasons. The Board waiting to see if the upheaval caused by the move to the Olympic Stadium unsettled the side enough to translate onto the field or if it is Slav’s tactics causing the problems is, in a vacuum, the right choice.

But as a fan, would you blame Slav if he decided to bolt for Istanbul? Think about all this man has gone through this season, in no particular order and abridged: the failed search for a striker, the move to the Olympic Stadium, the Payet saga, finger pointing over transfers, injuries in injuries on injuries, the list goes on! And this is without even mentioning the club’s media accounts linking the club with managers (while simultaneously singing his praises).

I, for one, think Slav is the right man for the job. Yes, his team selections have been odd, but the side seems to love playing for him and, when they are on, they can play with the best England has to offer (see last Friday as an example). The team have yet a long way to go, and there needs to be a significant investment in the side this summer, but Bilic is headed in the right direction. The question is, does he want to sweat out another season, knowing one poor run of form could mean he sees the sack? Or does he fancy himself a new challenge? The question remains, who could blame him if he decides to leave?